ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding between India and Afghanistan in the field of human resource development
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today has given its approval for signing of Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Afghanistan on cooperation in the field of Human Resource Development.
The MoU would facilitate students and faculty of Educational Institutions in Afghanistan to register and use the SWAYAM Courses. Also, it would facilitate them to upload on SWAYAM, the courses developed in Afghanistan. The required training to students and faculty from Afghanistan would be imparted by MHRD, Government of India.
Through this MoU, Government of India would provide access and share the technology of other major ICT Initiatives in Education such as National Digital Library of India , Virtual Labs, Spoken Tutorials. It is also proposed to establish Joint Master Degree Programmes between Indian and Afghanistan Universities / Institutions. MHRD would assist the Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan in the areas of Curriculum Development and Capacity Development of Teaching Staff.
Through this MoU, both the countries agree to sign an agreement on mutual recognition of academic qualifications. This is expected to promote student mobility under Study in India program, by attracting more foreign students to come and study in Afghan Institutions.
This MoU would be a significant mile-stone in the collaboration between two countries in education sector.
Background:
India and Afghanistan have strong diplomatic relations in various areas including education. To strengthen this further, both the countries have decided to cooperate in the field of Human Resource Development by signing a Memorandum of Understanding .
Ministry of Human Resource Development , Government of India has taken up number of technology enabled learning initiatives under National Mission on Education through ICT . SWAYAM, India's own MOOCs  platform is one such major initiative, which offers various online courses prepared by the best faculty from across the country. Till date, more than 35 Lakhs students have enrolled in about 2000 courses that have been offered through SWAYAM. This includes courses from Class 9th to Post-Graduation and also for lifelong learning. The students can avail credit transfer upto 20 % for the courses done through SWAYAM. Also, this platform is being used to provide Annual Refresher courses for higher education faculty.
Ministry of Coal
Substantial Increase in Coal Use Over the Years
Varied Measures in place for ensuring smooth coal supply to Power Sector
The total coal consumption in the year 1983-84 was 130.73 MT in comparison to 1115.02 MT  in the year 2022-23 with a growth of around 753%.
Supply of coal to the power plants is a continuous process. To address the issues of coal supplies to Power Sector. An Inter-Ministerial Sub Group comprising of representatives from Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, Central Electricity Authority , Coal India Limited  and Singareni Collieries Company Limited  meet regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to Thermal Power Plants as well as for meeting any contingent situations relating to Power Sector including to alleviate critical coal stock position in power plants.
Besides, an Inter-Ministerial Committee  has also been constituted comprising of Chairman, Railway Board; Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Secretary, Ministry of Power; to monitor augmentation of coal supply and power generation capacity. Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and Chairperson, CEA are co-opted as Special Invitees as and when required by the IMC.
Finding new areas for mining coal and lignite through exploration is a continuous process. There is one sub-scheme i.e. Promotional  exploration continuing through Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Coal for exploration of new areas of coal & lignite. In addition to this Geological Survey of India  also carries out investigation of minerals including coal.
This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research, India and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V. , Germany
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding  signed between the Indian Council of Medical Research  and Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft e.V. , Germany in December 2021 and in accordance with Rule 7 of the Second Schedule of Government of India  rules 1961.
Objectives of the MoU:
Cooperation in the field of medical sciences/health research in areas including Toxicology, Neglected  disease, rare diseases and any other areas of mutual interest. The cooperation in scientific research and technological development includes the joint funding of scientific research projects as well as the exchange of researchers, funding of joint seminars, symposia and workshops which would be of high scientific standard and beneficial to the advancement of science, significant from a scientific point of view.
Ministry of Culture
Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurates Sangeet Sandhya as a part of 550th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji
Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism  Shri Prahlada Singh Patel inaugurated a Sangeet Sandhya programme as a part ofthe 550th Birth Anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji yesterday in New Delhi.While inaugurating the event he said that Guru Nanak is the ideal of the world and his teachings are relevant even today.
The Sangeet Sandhya was organisedby the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India on 13th September 2020. Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha and renowned singer Shri Hans Raj Hans enthralled the audience with beautiful Sikh Kirtans and Sufi Kalams in the Sangeet Sandhya.
Dr.Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, IGNCA, in his welcome address gave a detailed account of the events held throughout the year ; a series of conferences, lectures exhibitions and poet meets  were held in different parts of the country, including Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan etc. Some worthy events were held in Dubri Sahib-Assam, Vadodara, Gujarat, Ayodhya, Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Jodhpur in Rajasthan, Panipat, Chandigarh. All these programmes were conducted continuously even amidst the lockdown due to Covid -19 pandemic. Furthermore, a number of new books on Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji have been released. More than 150 poets and students from various universities attended the Kavi Durbars  online. Also, more than 15 onlinelectures were organised on various aspects of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji by professors, senior social workers and scholars of Sikhism.
The program was moderated by Dr.Achal Pandya, Head of the Department, Conservation Department, IGNCA and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr.Abhijit Dixit. The event was made live via Facebook and about 50 people were seated at the venue followingCovid-19 norms.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Scrap Policy
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued GSR 177 dated 12.03.2021 which proposes Non-Renewal of Certificate of registration of Government Vehicles after the lapse of fifteen years.
Hon'ble Supreme Court in WP no 13029/1985  vide order dated 29/10/2018 has directed the Transport Departments of NCR, that all diesel vehicles more than 10 years old and petrol vehicles more than 15 years old shall not ply in terms of order of NGT dated 07/04/2015.
Six vehicle scrapping centres  have been functional in accordance with GSR 653 dated 23rd September, 2021, which provides for the Motor Vehicles  Rules, 2021. In addition, Seven more vehicle scrapping centres are functional in formal sector and have applied for registration with respective states under GSR 653 dated 23rd September, 2021 which provides for the Motor Vehicles  Rules, 2021. Also, Six states have approved 20 numbers of applications for establishing the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facilities.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways implements a central sector scheme for setting up of one Model Inspection and certification  centre in each State/UT for automated fitness testing of vehicles. It was conceptualized in 2008 with the aim to set up one model I&C centre at each State/UT. Till date, 27 States/UTs have been covered under the scheme. The scheme envisages replication of such centres by the States/UTs. No Automated testing station is functional as per the GSR 652 dated 23rd September, 2021 which provides for the Recognition, Regulation and Control of Automated Testing Station.
CPCB has prepared Guidelines for “Environmentally Sound Facilities for Handling, Processing and Recycling of End-of- Life Vehicles ” in 2019 and circulated to all State Boards/Control Committees. Said guidelines outline Collection & Handling of ELVs; Handling, storage and transportation of ELVs; Environmentally sound de-pollution of ELVs; Environmentally sound dismantling & segregation; Environmentally sound Shredding & separation and processing residues; Technologies for the ELV recycling process; Requirements for setting up of ELV recycling facility and Management of various wastes generated during depollution, dismantling and shredding of ELVs, which will help in reducing carbon foot print. The guidelines are available on the website of CPCB https://cpcb.nic.in/technical-guidelines/.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
MJPS
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Ministry of Defence
SWARNIM VIJAY VARSH ‘VICTORY FLAME’ INDUCTED AT ENC
The ‘Victory Flame’ of Swarnim Vijay Varsh, was formally inducted at Eastern Naval Command  commemorating the 50th anniversary celebrations of India’s victory in the 1971 war by Hon’ble Home Minister of Andhra Pradesh Smt Mekathoti Sucharita and Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, ENC, on 03 Sep 21 at an impressive ceremony held at 'Victory at Sea' War Memorial RK Beach, Visakhapatnam. The induction ceremony was held in the presence of naval veterans who participated in the 1971 war. Senior Naval Officers and Govt of Andhra Pradesh Officials also participated in the commemorative event.
The induction ceremony commenced with solemn wreath laying by the Commander-in-Chief and the Hon’ble Home Minister. A two minute silence was observed as a mark of respect to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service to the Nation. The Victory Flame was brought in ceremoniously amidst an impressive ceremony by the Indian Naval contingent. Later, the Hon’ble Home Minster and the C-in-C interacted with the veterans who shared their experience during the 1971 war.
The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war and the year is being observed as ‘Swarnim Vijay Varsh’ in honour of the Indian Soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty. To commemorate this occasion, four victory flames were lit up by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the National War Memorial, New Delhi on 16 Dec 20. The four victory flames commenced their journey through the four cardinal directions travelling across the country through the villages of the soldiers who were a part of the 1971 war. The Victory Flame for the South Cardinal was paraded through Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Kochi and Madurai & Chennai prior reaching Visakhapatnam from Port Blair onboard INS Sumitra.
The Victory Flame will travel to various schools in the city and thereafter will commence its onward journey to Hyderabad passing through Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Nalgonda. Victory Flame from various parts of the country will converge at New Delhi on 16 Dec 21 where the main event will be conducted.
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CGR/VM/PS
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Ministry of Heavy Industries
Government procurement from PSUs
Central Public Sector Enterprises  are under the jurisdiction of respective Ministries/Departments and the Department of Public Enterprises has not procured any items through Central Public Sector Enterprises  and has not placed orders with Central Public Sector Enterprises during the last three years.
This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Prakash Javadekar, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Blue Flag Standards for Beaches in The Country
Under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project, the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change  has piloted Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service  Programme. Under this programme, various activities related to pollution abatement, beach awareness, aesthetics, safety, surveillances services and environment education, etc., have been done at identified beaches aimed to achieve international standards for Blue Flag Beach Certification.
Total 10 beaches situated in 6 States and 3 Union Territories have been developed at par with best international beaches with safety and ecologically sustainable infrastructure, acceptable bathing water quality, self-sustaining energy supply and environmentally sound services/management measures. Beaches that have been conferred with internationally recognized Blue Flag Certification are:
- Shivrajpur, Devbhumi Dwarka District, Gujarat
- Ghoghla  Dadara Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu
- Padubidri, Udupi District, Karnataka
- Kasarkod, Karwar District, Karnataka
- Kappad, Kozhikode District, Kerala
- Kovalam, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu
- Eden, Puducherry District, Puducherry
- Rushikonda, Vishakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh
- Golden, Puri District, Odisha
- Radhanagar , Andaman & Nicobar Islands
National Center for Coastal Research  under Ministry of Earth Sciences  conducted studies on the qualitative analysis of litter in different beaches along the east and west coast of India. Studies indicated that the plastic litter from tourism varies from40% to 96%. As per the studies conducted by MoEF&CC and MoES, most of the harbors and beaches have high beach litter.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Cabinet
MoU between Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration , Mussoorie and Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management  of Namibia for capacity building
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for signing of a Memorandum of Understanding  between Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration , Mussoorie and Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management , Namibia in the field of capacity building of public officials of Namibia and other training activities for the benefit of both the institutes.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Secretary I&B reviewed the progress under Special Campaign 2.0 for Swachhata at Central Bureau of Communication Sochana Bhavan, Delhi
The progress under Special Campaign 2.0 for Swachhata at Central Bureau of Communication  Headquarters was reviewed by Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary  at Soochan Bhawan on 27th Oct 2022. Shri Jayant Sinha, AS&FA, and Shri R.K. Jena, Senior Economic Advisor M/o I&B Shri Satish Nambudiripad, ADG  and Smt Ranjana Dev Sarma, ADG , and other officials of CBC were present.
Shri Chandra took a round in the different floors of the office including the Record Rooms of Accounts Section that has been earmarked for weeding out the old paid bills during the special campaign, which are lying for more than ten years. The officials explained to the Secretary  the progress made in destroying the old records and vacating the space. Records prior to 2017-18 were listed and earmarked for shredding and more than 50% of the work has already been accomplished. The rooms assigned for keeping the sorted bills and bill shredding were also shown to the team. Secretary  expressed satisfaction over the amount of work done and space being cleared. It is expected that space to the tune of 2500 Sqr feet would be freed once the bills, IT waste and old specimen copies of newspaper are cleared as part of the special campaign.
The Secretary  also visited the accounts sections where the billing processes were explained to him. He lauded the efforts put in by the team of CBC officers and said that the remaining work needed to be completed at the earliest.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Stipend to Apprenticeship
The minimum rate of stipend payable to all categories of apprentices including trade apprentices have been revised and notified in Extra Ordinary Gazette of India dated 25th September, 2019. The minimum stipend is based on educational and technical qualification requirement, prescribed in curricula of respective trades. The Apprenticeship Rule, 1992 as amended upto September 2019 prescribes that during the 2nd year of apprenticeship training, there shall be an increase of 10 per cent in the prescribed minimum stipend amount and further 15 per cent increase in the prescribed minimum stipend amount during 3rd year of apprenticeship training. Presently, Government is not considering to increase the stipend payable to apprentices. The minimum stipend paid per month to all categories of apprentices is as under :
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Serial number
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Category
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Prescribed minimum base stipend amount for 1st year of training
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School pass-outs 
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₹ 5000 per month
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School pass-outs 
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₹ 6000 per month
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School pass-outs 
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₹ 7000 per month
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National or State Certificate holder
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₹ 7000 per month
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Technician  apprentice or Vocational Certificate holder or Sandwich Course 
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₹ 7000 per month
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Technician apprentices or diploma holder in any stream or sandwich course 
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₹ 8000 per month
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Graduate apprentices or Degree apprenticeship or degree in any stream
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₹ 8000 per month
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Skill certificate holder
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- stipend as per his/her educational qualifications as mentioned in the table above
- In case, he does not fall in any of the above categories, he/she will get a minimum stipend of INR 5000/-per month.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri R.K. Singh in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Tourism
IndiaTourism Mumbai collaborates with Croma stores to create awareness about E-waste
Incredible India and Croma branded “E-waste Collection box “ to be placed at 50+ Croma stores across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh
: Mumbai, September 24, 2022
IndiaTourism Mumbai has collaborated with the Croma stores, a Tata Enterprise to create awareness about E-waste. This is a step in the direction through E-Waste management. IndiaTourism Mumbai is placing especially designed Incredible India and Croma branded “E-waste Collection box “ at 50+ Croma stores across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh with a Tagline "Help us keep India as Incredible as ever". The project was inaugurated at Croma Juhu Store in Mumbai today.
The association is to further create awareness and visibility on e-waste management. As consumers upgrade to the latest products for better life, IndiaTourism and Croma has made it a mission to promote a culture of ‘Responsible Consumption’. This is a yearlong activity aimed at creating awareness and encouraging consumers about responsible deposit of E-waste.
Sri D Venkatesan, Regional Director of IndiaTourism Mumbai was present at the Croma Juhu Store on the occasion.
Electronic waste  is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the country. The ever-growing electronics sector leading to high usage of the electronic equipment. Faster outmodedness and subsequent up-gradation of electronics product, are forcing consumers to discard old products, which in turn accumulate huge e-waste to the solid waste stream. This initiative has been taken up for the first time as one of the innovative activities to create more awareness on e-waste and considering the challenges faced on discarding electronics waste.
Today, the urge for people to upgrade and buy new devices has increased. However, as people buy new and updated devices every year and throw away the old ones, one cannot help but wonder, what do they do with these unused pieces left behind? To help solve this problem, IndiaTourism Mumbai and Croma aim to help their customers with the disposal of their old electronics in partnership with JustDispose, an expert in e-waste disposal in a safe and environment-friendly manner. In returns for the e-waste that a person disposes of, Croma plants a tree in their name. These Incredible India e-waste collection boxes will be placed in Croma stores across India for one year.
The Union Ministry of Tourism is observing “Swachhta Pakhwada” Cleanliness Fortnight from 16th – 30th September, 2022. As part of the Swachhta Pakhwada, IndiaTourism Mumbai, the Regional office of the Ministry of Tourism for West and Central region has collaborated with Croma, India’s reputed Omni-channel electronics retailer from the Tata Group.